Filipe Luis has suggested that Lionel Messi benefits from extra protection in La Liga, saying 'nobody wants one of the best players of all time out and for people to miss the opportunity to see him play'.

The Atletico Madrid defender was sent off in his side's 2-1 defeat to Messi's Barcelona in January after a nasty tackle on the Argentinian wizard.

However, while Luis accepted that his actions justified a red card, the Brazilian still believes the world's best player receives preferential treatment from both the Spanish press and league officials.

Lionel Messi benefits from being 'the protege of the press and the league,' according to Filipe Luis

The Atletico Madrid defender was sent off for a foul on Messi during Atleti's defeat to Barcelona in January

Luis believes his red card was justified but he suggested Messi is afforded extra protection in some quarters

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LIONEL MESSI IN LA LIGA - 2015/16

'It was a red, it was no mistake by the referee, it was a just red,' the Atleti man toldEsporte Interactivo.

'I left the field, served my suspension and that was it.

'It's something you see in every game but because it was with Messi and he is the protege of the press and the league, obviously nobody wants one of the best players of all time out and for people to miss the opportunity to see him playing, and so he created all this.

'If you give Messi a metre, he'll snatch the ball and leave you behind.

'My objective is to be intense so he can't do anything.'

The Brazilian said: 'Obviously nobody wants one of the best players of all time out (of action)'

Messi has helped fire Barca to the top of the La Liga standings with 21 league goals during 2015/16